Swarms of New York City locals, tourists and bird watchers have gathered at the shores of a Central Park pond since a mandarin duck was spotted there on 10 October.

Return of the mandarin ducks

Read more

Observers have crowded the shores of Central Park’s pond, hoping to get a glimpse of the colorful plumage and striking beak that sets the mandarin duck apart from your average mallard, and inspired its nickname, “hot duck”.

Where is our MANDARIN DUCK? He was not reported yesterday, and we checked the likely spots late day. If you see him, let us know! He likely still is in Central Park, but he has been known to fly to the Hudson River 79th-Street Boat Basin 📷 @WinoBradNYpic.twitter.com/O04nJPT5pJ

The mandarin duck swims in a Central Park pond with common ducks. Photograph: UPI/Barcroft Images

The duck has enraptured New York City in a way no small creature has since a rat was seen carrying a pizza slice down subway stairs in 2015. Where pizza rat was a symbol for the city’s grime, the mandarin duck is a symbol of majesty and grace in Manhattan’s largest park.